Piano-playing attachment.



w. KIRKEGAARD.

PIANO PLAYTNG ATTACHMENT. APPLIOATIOE FILED NOV. 8, 1910.

l jgi Patented Dec. 19, 1911 4 SHEETS-SHEET l W. KIRKEGAARD.

PIANO PLAYING ATTACHMENT.

uruonzon mum nov. a, 1910.

1,0]. 1,967. Patented Dec. 19,1911.

4 BHEBTBSHEET 2 mm Way w. KIRKEGAARD. PIANO PLAYING ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1910.

1,01 1,967. Patentgad Dec. 19, 1911.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 'a.

w. KIBKEGAARDQ PIANO PLAYING ATTAGHMEN T.

urmouzon FILED HOV. a, 1010.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

4 SKEETBSHEET 4 8 11 21122 mmwv T all whom. it may concern:

WALTER KIRKEGAARD, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

PIANO-PLAYING ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

Application filed November 8. 1910. Serial No. 591,262.

State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements inPiano-Playing Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a piano player, and more particularly to theclass of foldable pneumatic playing attachments.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an attachment ofthis character in which the same may be folded into the piano below thekey bed when not in use, and readily and easily brought into positionbelow said key bed when in use for the playing of the piano.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an attachment ofthis character in which the key 0 erating mechanism may be readily andeasi y adjusted with respect to the keys on the key bed for the accurateand proper working of the keys for the pneumatic playin of the piano.

A further object 0% the invention is the provision of a piano playingattachment wherein the same, when not in use, may be conveniently foldedand stored within the iano, thus making the attachment invisifile, atwhich time the piano may be layed by a performer in the ordinarywellnown manner, the attachment being readily and quickly adjusted foruse in the automatic playin of the piano.

A still further object. of the invention is the provision of a pianoattachment which is simple in construction, readily and convenientlyfolded when not in use and unfolded for use, and also that isinexpensive in manufacture.

In the drawings, accompanying and forming a part of this specification,is illustrated the preferred form of embodiment of the invention, which,to. enable those skilled in the art to which the inyention. relates, tocarry out the invention, Wlll be set forth at length in the followingdescri tion, while the novelty of the invention wi be ointed out in theclaims succeeding the escrip tion. However, it is to be understood thatchanges, variations, and modifications may be made such as come properlywithin the scope of the appended claims, without departing from thespirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a piano-forte with theattachment mounted thereon and in operative position. Fig. 2 is asimilar view of the attachment in folded position and the front bottomboard or door of the piano-forte partly broken away. Fig. 3 is asectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view onthe line 44 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the tracker board frameand its adjunct parts. Fig.6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectionalview throu h the telescoping driving shaft for operating the music sheetrolls or spools. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view of one of thesupporting arms. Fig. 8 is a. sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 7.Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through one of the catch devices.Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view through the key operatingmechanism. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the pneumatic and thesame being partly in sections. Fig. 12 is a frontelevation of saidpneumatic.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

With reference to the accompanying draw ings by numerals, the piano isof any ordinary well-known or approved form, comprising a casing 10, itskey bed being designated by 11, and underneath the key bed, the bottomof the iano is provided with a chamber 12 normal y closed by a. frontboard or door 13, the same being connected to the body of the piano'bymeans of hinges 14, so that itmay be swung to opened 'or closedposition, whereby access may be had to the interior of the compartmentor chamber 12, for a purpose as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. v

Suitably secured to the key bed 11 of the piano is the usual balancerail 15 upon which are fulcrumed the keys 16 for the playing of thepiano in the ordinary wellnown manner, the front or forward ends of thekeys being protected or shielded by means of a key slip 17 which isfixed to the key bed 11 between the ends 18 of the body of the piano,the keys16 being operated by means of a pneumatic piano layingattachment hereinafter more fully escribed.

Secured to and projecting inwardly from the sides or end walls of thepiano casing 10 beneath the'key bed 11 thereof and rearwardly withrespect to the hinged front board or door 13 are trunnions or pivots 19,to which are connected the inner ends of swinging supporting arms 20adapted to swing into the compartment or chamber 12 and outwardlytherefrom parallel with the said key bed 11 below the same. Mounted forfolding movement at the outer ends of the supporting arms 20 is apneumatic key 0 rat ng mechanism, comprising a series o primary,intermediate and ower pneumatics 21, 22 and 23,'respective y, the samebeing supported in a suitable frame, including end sections 24. -Theprimary, intermediate and power neumatics are all controlled from, andthe first two named arranged within, the single exhaust chamber 25, and'are provided wlth the usual valves. The intermediate pneumatic 22 isoperated directly by the small primary pneumatic 21, and is arranged tocontrol the valve of the ower pneumatic in the ordinary wellown manner.I v

There are arranged above the keys 16 between ,the sections 24, threeexhaust chambers 25, all disposed vertically with relation to eachother, and each chamber has disposed therein'a series of primarypneumatics 21 having the leadi tubes 26 connected to the duct 27 of' atra dl zer. board 28, the latter fixed centrally-v within -a slidingtracker board frame 29 which-also carries at opposite sides of thetracker board 28, the

' usual winding and unwinding spools 30 supporting the usual note sheet31, which latter passes over said tracker board and acts as a valve forsaid primary pneumatic,-i.- 42., so

long as an imperforate portion of the notesheet covers the inlet 32 ofthe tracker board leading to said pneumatic, the latter remainsinactive, but the moment a perforation in thenote sheet passes over itsinlet in the said tracken board, the pneumatic in the exhaust chamber 25is instantly inflated. Arranged directly above the said pneumatic 21 isa valve chamber 33 which has a duct 34 running diagonally down andcommunicating with the interior of the pneumatic 22. Connected to andoperated by the primary neumatic 21'is a puppet valve 35 comprismg astem 36 and the disk 37, so that when said primary valve 35 and allowsexternal air to enter .under the said disk 37 into the valve chamber 33and from thencethroughthe ductor channel 34 into the intermediatepneumatic 22 which beingllocated in the exhaust chamber 25 isimmediately inflated, causing the lifting of the valve therein, therebyestablishino communication through the duct pneumatic opens, it raisessaid.

, manner.

tween the exhaust chamber 25 and the power pneumatic 23 which instantlycauses the latter to collapse or close.

Projectin outwardly from the free ends of the movaf le members of thewer pneumatic 23 are extension rods 38 li ving their extreme endsconnected to the downwardly projecting provided with felted heads 40adapted to stand directly over the keys 16 of the piano. Suitably fixedto the end sections 24 of the said pneumatic ke operating mechanism areforearms 41, t e same being slidably fitted in hollow elbows 42, whichlatter are connected by means of pivots 43to the outer ends of saidswinging arms 20, and these elbows 42 carry swiveled adjusting screws 44working in threaded lugs 45 formedon the said forearms 41, the screwsserving to permit the raising and lowering of the mechanism forpositioning it properly above the key bed 11 of the piano.

Adjustably threaded in the end sections 24 of the key operatingmechanism are supporting screws 45 provided with bearing blocks 46,which latter are connected in any suitable manner in the lower ends ofthe said screws 45", and are adapted to restupon the key bed 11 at oposite ends of the piano. It is evident that y the adjustment of thescrews 44 and 45, the striker rods 39 may be regulated for -the properpositioning thereof relative to the keys 16 of the piano. The trackerboard frame 29' is provided with guide ribs 47 at opposite ends thereof,the same being slidably fitted in 1guide slots 48 suitably fixed inspaced para] el relation to each other medially beneath the key bed 11of the piano, and are provided with outer,

hinged track extensions 49, whereby the frame 29 may be moved inwardlybeneath the key bed 11 or pulled outwardl beyond the said key bed of theiano bo when the mechanism is operated, v

Within the piano casing 10 at any suitable point near the centerthereof, is arranged a pneumatic motor 50, the latter being adapted tooperate a power driven shaft 51, the same being journaled in suitablebearings 52 within the piano casin, telescoping within the shaft 51 is as 'dable driven shaft 53, the same being suitably keyed in the saidshaft 51 and upon this slidable shaft 53 are fixed cog gears 54 meshinwith cog gears -55 connected with pneumatic motor is in action, motionwill be andstriker rods 39, the latter being the en s of the spools 30,so that when the imparted therefrom to the said spools 30 for thedriving of the same, thereby causing the music note sheet 31 totrave'rseover the tracker board 28 in the ordinary well-known The outerend of the Slidablc driven shaft 53 is provided with'a hand knob orwheel 56, whereby the said shaft may be shifted for brinoino' the coggears a ternately in engagement with and disengagement from the gears ofthe spools 30 for the winding and unwinding of the music note sheetsduring the operation of the piano playing mechanism. The speed of thepneumatic motor 50 may be regulated in any de sirable or well-knownmanner.

:Within the chamber or compartment 12 in the piano-forte casing 10 is amain bellows 57, the latter being operated through the medium ofsuitable connections controlled by means of foot pedals 58, the latterbeing hinged to a detachable support 59, of the piano-forte, whereby thesaid pedals may be folded when not in use, the said pedals being adaptedto exhaust the main bellows 57 in the usual well-known manner.

The main bellows 57 has connection with the pneumatic motor 50 in anysuitable manner. Also the main bellows 57 is adapted to control andoperate the pneumatics of the key operating mechanism, the said mainbellows being in communication with the said pneumatics for this purposein any ordinary well-known manner.

Suitably secured to the end sections 24 of the key operating mechanismare loop handles 60 which permit the ready folding and unfolding of thekey operating mechathe compartment or chamber 12 in the casing 10 of thepiano, whereby the attachment may assume either of the positions asshown in Figs. 3 and 4t of the drawings. Communication between the mainbellows 57 and the key operating mechanism is had preferably by means 0air tubes 61 and (32 leading from the same, respectively, toward eachother, the tubes being connected with hinged couplings 63 pivotallysupported upon the pivot pins 43 carried by the elbows 42. Secured tothe bottom of the key bed 11 are spring held latches (35, the same inopenings 66 formed in the supportmg arms 20. so that when the latchesare engaged with the openings in the swinging arms and when the samehave been swung outwardly in parallel relation to the key bed, theattachment will be sustained in operative position. whereby the keyoperating mechanism will be superposed above the keys of the piano forthe operation thereof. The forward cnds of the loop handles 60 areprovided with hook catches 67, which latter are adapted to be engaged byspring fingers 68 fixed to and projecting inwardly from the trout boardor door 13, so that when the attachment is folded within the chamber orcon'lpartmcnt 12 in the piano casing 10 and on the closing of the door13, the fingers 68 nism into and out'of will engage with'the hookcatches 67, thus dock mg and holding the door 13 in closed poand therebyconcealing the attach- Connected are hinged sition, merit wlthm thepiano casing. with the door or front board 13 being adapted to engageconnected below the key bed brackets 69,the same also being connected tothe side or end walls of the piano casing 10 and are adapted to hold thesaid door or board 13 against swinging outwardly too far and supportingit in its open position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it 1s thought that the construction and operation of theinvention will be readily understood without requiring a more extendedexplanation, and therefore the same has been omitted.

VVhat is claimed is:

1. The combination with a piano-forte having a key bed, a plurality ofoperating keys thereon, and a compartn'lent below said bed, of a pianoplaying attachment comprising a pair of swinging arms pivotallyconnected at their inner ends with the ends of the said piano-forte,pneumatic key operating means having pivotal connection with the outerends of said arms for positioning the said means above the keys andwithin the compartment, a. tracker board slidably connected below thekey bed and having communication with the pneumatic key operating means,music sheet operating means, a motor operating said sheet operatingmechanism, and a main exhaust bellows having connection with the motorand pneumatic operating means.

2. The combination with a piano-forte having a key bed, a plurality ofoperating keys thereon, and a compartment below said bed, of a pianoplaying attachment comprising a pair of swinging arms pivotallyconnected at their inner ends with the ends of the said piano-forte,pneumatic key operating means having pivotal connection with the outerends of said arms for positioning the said means above the keys andwithin the compartment, a tracker board slidably connected below the keybed and having communication with the pneumatic key operating means,music sheet operating means, a motor operating said sheet operate ingmechanism, a ing connection with the motor and pneumatic operatingmeans, and means adjusting the pneumatic key operating means relative tothe v 3. The co;rliim1tirm with a. piano-forte having a key bed, aplurality of operating keys thereon, and a compartment below said bed,of a piano playing attachment coinprlsing a pair of swinging armspivotally connected at. their inner ends with the ends of the saidpiano-forte, pneumatic key operating means having pivotal cor actionwith the outer ends of said arms for positioning the said means abovethe keys and within the compartment, a tracker board slidably and havingcommunication with the pneumatic key operating means, music sheetoperating main exhaust bellows havmeans, a motor operating said sheetoperating mechanism, a main exhaust bellows having connection with themotor and pneumatic operating means, means adjusting the pneumatic keyoperating means relative to the keys, and means for raising and loweringsaid pneumatic key operating means independently of the adjusting means.

4. The combination with a piano-forte having a key bed, a plurality ofoperating keys thereon, and a compartment below said bed, of a pianoplaying attachment comprising a pair of swinging arms pivotallyconnected at their inner ends with the ends of the said piano-forte,pneumatic key operating means having pivotal connection with the outerends of said arms for positioning the said means above the keys andwithin the compartment, a tracker board slidably connected below the keybed and having communication with the pneumatic key operating means,music sheet operating means, a motor operating said sheet operatingmechanism, a main exhaust bellows having connection with the motor andpneumatic operating means, means adjusting the pneumatic key operatingmeans relative tothe keys, means for raising and lowering said pneumatickey operating means independently of the adjusting means, and a fronthinged to the piano-forte'and normally closing the said compartmenttherein for concealing the pneumatic key operating means when movedWithin said compartment.

5. The combination with a piano-forte keys thereon, and a compartmentbelow sai bed of a piano playing attachment comprising a pair ofswinging arms ivotally con- 0 nected at their inner ends wit the ends ofthe said piano-forte, pneumatic key operating means having pivotalconnection with the outer ends of said arms for positioning the saidmeans above the ke s and within the compartment, a tracker boardslidably connected below the key bed and having communication with thepneumatic key operating means, music' sheet operating means, a motoroperating said sheet op'erat- 5e ing mechanism, a main exhaust bellowshaving connection with the motor and pneumatic operating means, meansadjusting the pneumatic key operating means relative to the key, meansfor raising and lowering 65 said pneumatickey operating meansindependently of the adjusting means, a front hinged to the piano-forteand normally closing the said compartment therein for concealing thepneumatic key operating means when moved within said compartment, andmeans carried by the neumatic key operating means and the f i'ontrespectively, for sustaining the said front in position for closing thecompartment. 66

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER KIRKEGAARD.

W'itnesses MARY A: HAWTHORNE, JAY F ULLER.

having a key bed, a plurality of operating

